C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

[Richard M.]

Am I going to break the cast iron rods installing these?

Rich
p.s. wow, a post where I don't ramble on....

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Rich
I would call the place where you got them and ask them to pull another set out and measure them. I've known other people who have had problems with them on C1 parts. Some one will chime in that has a set laying around and can tell you the right size.
Terry

[Edward J.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Rich, Ive put quite a few sets of the C-2, C-3 strut rod bushings in before, they look similar, I found that a press only takes minutes to install these style bushings.use a a socket that is the same dia.and grease the rod and other bushing to ease installation.

sometimes some of the autoparts stores or machine shops have a press that may charge a few dollars to install. I don't think a big hammer will help, it may destroy the bushings.they are a tight fit.

[Dennis C.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Rich,

I did this for my C1 using bushings from Paragon. I didn't measure them, but I had no problem installing them. I was able to press the busings in using my vise.

Good luck.

Dennis

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Thanks guys. I think I'll call Zip Monday and see what else they measure in stock. I am afraid to press these in. Rod end ID's are about 1.122". Bushings measure apx 1.144". Let's see 0.022"/2 = 0.011". That seems like too much to me. Over a hundredth of an inch around a rough cast iron hole, which is not really round....... to make up.

If these new bushings' outer sleeve had a slice running lengthwise like the inner sleeves I'd feel better. Why were these made differently from the original which had no outer metal sleeve?

I'm afraid. Has anyone else had this fear?

Rich

[Bruce B.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Rich,
Paragon has the type you bought with the outer steel sleeve and they also have the urethane bushings without an outer steel sleeve.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Hmmmm, Zip only had the sleeved rubber type shown. I like the poly type better for this project.
Thanks for the info,
Rich

http://www.corvette-paragon.com/p-35...d-bushing.aspx

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Thanks guys. I think I'll call Zip Monday and see what else they measure in stock. I am afraid to press these in. Rod end ID's are about 1.122". Bushings measure apx 1.144". Let's see 0.022"/2 = 0.011". That seems like too much to me. Over a hundredth of an inch around a rough cast iron hole, which is not really round....... to make up.

If these new bushings' outer sleeve had a slice running lengthwise like the inner sleeves I'd feel better. Why were these made differently from the original which had no outer metal sleeve?

I'm afraid. Has anyone else had this fear?

Rich

Rich------


The original bushings were vulcanized in place, so they required no outer sleeve. SERVICE bushings have an outer sleeve so that they can be field-installed.

The rods are not cast iron; they are forged steel. However, I do think that the interference fit that you'll get with these bushings is too great.

I do not recommend the use of polyurethane bushings for most suspension bushings. Among other problems, you will likely end up with a harsher ride and incessant "squeaking". Also, I do not recommend the use of SERVICE bushings, urethane or rubber, without the outer steel sleeve.

The GM bushings are still available under the original part number of 3764839. However, I do not know if they'll now be any different than the ones you have. If it were me, I'd check them out, though.

[Bill M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Hmmmm, Zip only had the sleeved rubber type shown. I like the poly type better for this project.

Rich:

FYI: In a corner, the radius rods have to twist. You don't want stiff bushings in the rods because then the steel radius rods act like torsion bars. By increasing the rear roll stiffness, you'll get more oversteer.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Rich:

FYI: In a corner, the radius rods have to twist. You don't want stiff bushings in the rods because then the steel radius rods act like torsion bars. By increasing the rear roll stiffness, you'll get more oversteer.

Interesting.....hadn't thought of that.

Always learning....Thanks.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Thanks Joe....great info....I'll check out the GM part.

Hmmm, I always thought by the rough appearance they were cast. Forged makes sense though. Interesting the original bushings were vulcanized in place. Were they lubricated when assembled? I don't recall the AIM showing that.(not in the shop yet, too early) The steel sleeve eventually would rust itself to the attach bolts or forward studs. I had to drive the rusted sleeves off all 4 attach bolts. I guess even if they were lubricated 50 years ago this would happen over time.

Rich

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

Correct, the 59-62 radius rod ends are NOT cast iron.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

So I went to http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ and found the 3764839 still available as you say Joe. List each is $20.47, net $12.14....plus shipping. BTW their S/H is typically outrageous.

Only trouble is these have to be ordered to see them. The Chevy parts counters won't have them on the shelves. I know the parts manager at my Chevy dealer. Maybe he can order me a set and if I don't like them he can send 'em back. Either way if I get to see them I'll snap a few photos for here later.

Rich
p.s. since I incorrectly assumed the rods to be cast, only because the appeared that way.....you know, they have rough lines and what seem to be casting flaws.

How can you really tell cast iron vs forged steel....on the outside that is?

[Bill M.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

How can you really tell cast iron vs forged steel....on the outside that is?

Rich:

I assume the radius rods were made from bar stock and the ends were hot-forged. That's the way steering linkages are made; the end is heated to red-hot and run through dies that form the ends. If they were cast iron I would expect to see a parting line on the rod that would be ground smooth.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Radius / Strut Rod Bushings

So I went to http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ and found the 3764839 still available as you say Joe. List each is $20.47, net $12.14....plus shipping. BTW their S/H is typically outrageous.

Only trouble is these have to be ordered to see them. The Chevy parts counters won't have them on the shelves. I know the parts manager at my Chevy dealer. Maybe he can order me a set and if I don't like them he can send 'em back. Either way if I get to see them I'll snap a few photos for here later.

Rich
p.s. since I incorrectly assumed the rods to be cast, only because the appeared that way.....you know, they have rough lines and what seem to be casting flaws.

How can you really tell cast iron vs forged steel....on the outside that is?

The last time I bought these bushings (several years ago) from a Chevy parts dept (if I remember correctly), they came 2/pkg. I can't tell from the above listing if the pkg contains 1 or 2 bushings. Anyone know?